If you go

For more information, call Victoria Strutters and the Debbie Bennett Greene School of Dancing at 361-576-4425.

Thirty-one local girls will compete Saturday in the Miss Victoria Pageant.

The competition is divided by age into four categories - Little Miss, Young Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Victoria. The 42nd Miss Victoria will be crowned at the close of the competition Saturday night.

The pageant is sponsored Debbie Bennett Green.

Assistant director of the Miss Victoria Competition Devon Bennett, 19, of Victoria was crowned Young Miss in 2003, Junior Miss in 2006 and Miss Victoria in 2009.

"In the recent years, this is probably one of our biggest competitions," Bennett said.

Bennett attributes the growth of the pageant to more campaigning at schools and passing fliers out at the mall.

The Miss Victoria Court also participates in three or four parades a month in Victoria and surrounding areas.

"Our new float was re-modeled last year. It is bright pink and purple and catches the eye," Bennett said. "I think a lot of little girls see it in the parade and they are more interested in being in the pageant. Every little girl wants to be on it now."

In addition to making public appearances, each member of the court picks a platform to promote in the Crossroads area.

Greene visited Crossroads' high schools getting students to sign a pledge that they will no longer text and drive.

"Our pageant is not really about a beauty pageant, it is more about community service," Bennett said. "We represent Victoria."

The pageant is broken into four parts. Each contestant will have a one-on-one interview with the judges Saturday morning.

During the evening program, the contestants will model a casual outfit of their choice and give a prepared speech on a topic they were previously assigned. During the optional formal wear competition, the girls will be judged on poise and modeling ability.

Half of the girls from each category will progress to the final segment of the competition where the judges will ask the same question of the finalists individually.

Miss Victoria will qualify to participate in the Miss Texas competition for a chance to compete for Miss America.